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Departing: Aubrayo Franklin, signed a one-year deal with the Saints – terms unknown.

Replacement: Isaac Sopoaga 4th round choice from 2004.

Better, worse or draw: Rod Brooks, the 49ers sideline reporter for KNBR, once saw Patrick Willis embrace Franklin on the sidelines after a defensive stand. “You’re the best nose tackle in the league!” Willis reportedly yelled to his cohort. Earlier in training camp, Gwen Knapp wrote that Franklin once called the defense when Willis forgot the call. Nevertheless, the 49ers are WORSE at the position without Franklin.

Former 49ers linebacker Takeo Spikes once said that Franklin was the best nose tackle he ever played with in his 13-year career. Upshot – Franklin will be missed. The surprise is that Franklin didn’t garner more interest in free agency. The reason is that he’s only 317 pounds and not physically gifted. But obviously, he can play. Sopoaga, conversely, is 330 pounds and devastatingly quick off the ball. However, his first stint at nose tackle went poorly and that led to Franklin’s 2007 signing with the 49ers. One former coach said part of Sopoaga’s lack of development was due to failing to understand the position, and Sopoaga’s English language skills might have been part of the reason. Since then, Sopoaga’s football and English have improved. He established himself as a stalwart left end last season and seems eager to transition to nose tackle.